Supplier Spotlights: Coors Brewing, Just Born & Verifone Media

NATIONAL REPORT — While it's important for convenience store retailers to market themselves, new products, services, promotions and other initiatives by c-store suppliers are a major part of capturing consumer interest. Convenience Store News will regularly highlight such efforts in this roundup.

Here are the latest supplier spotlights:

Ascentium Capital

Ascentium Capital LLC, a national commercial lender, was named a finalist in the Top Small Business Lending Platform by LendIt, the world's largest show in lending and FinTech. Finalists were selected for demonstrating a combination of loan performance, volume, growth, product diversity and responsiveness to stakeholders.

The LendIt Awards Ceremony will be held on March 7 in New York City.

"Ascentium Capital is honored to be recognized as a balance sheet lender with leading technology that serves small businesses. We continue to invest in our people, processes and platform to ensure we are responsive as well as proactive in delivering products and services that exceed the needs of our clients," stated Ascentium CEO Tom Depping.

Coors Brewing

Hockey fans in Pittsburgh were treated to pre-game celebrations and a rivalry beer summit hosted by Coors Light, the official beer of the NHL, before the Feb. 23, game that pitted the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Philadelphia Flyers at Heinz Field.

The Coors Light Beer Summit was held from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at SoHo Bar & Restaurant and featured former Penguins star Paul Coffey and former Flyers star Eric Lindros, as well as NHL legend Jeremy Roenick as master of ceremonies. The players discussed what went through their minds when getting ready for rivalry games, what pushed them to the next level, how losing a big rivalry game motivated them to never let it happen again and their reaction to being named to the 100 Greatest NHL Players list as part of the NHL's Centennial celebration.

"At Coors Light, we know each season is personal, tense and unpredictable for both players and fans, and nothing pushes teams more than their rivals," said Ashley Kornbluth, Coors Light marketing manager. "The Coors Light Beer Summit brings together two rivals over an ice cold Coors Light to celebrate that extra work put in by players and fans when facing that rival team."

The brewer also hosted the Coors Light Beer Garden at The PreGame, the official tailgate party of the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series.

CORD Financial Services

The ATM solutions and products provider has acquired Sky Processing's ATM-related assets in the continental United States. Sky Processing will retain its ATM business in Puerto Rico. Financial terms and other details of the sale were not disclosed.

"CORD's commitment to increase the value of the company and expand our footprint in the U.S. makes this acquisition a perfect fit," said Kenneth Gilbert, president of CORD Financial Services. "We will now begin the process of introducing ourselves to our new partners in this purchase, offering them CORD's experience and knowledge while providing unmatched customer service and exceptional value."

Tremont Capital Group Inc., a firm that specializes in providing strategic planning and merger and acquisition advisory services to the ATM industry, advised and represented Sky Processing in the transaction and facilitated the deal.

"CORD will take great care of our customers in the continental U.S. as we continue to rapidly grow our other businesses," said Sky Processing CEO Brad Zerman.

Forte Products

The manufacturer of fixtures and equipment for retail launched a newly revamped website at www.forteproducts.com. The site now offers highly visual, quick and easy access to product information as well as the company's manufacturing capabilities and other value-added services.

"We are excited about our new website and the useful information it provides to our existing and soon-to-be customers, partners, vendors and the markets at large," stated Yasmina Dhimes, director of sales and marketing at Forte Products. "The website was created with the user experience strongly in mind. We believe that the organized design, comprehensive information, and improved functionality of the new site will simplify visitors' search and will save them valuable time."

Just Born

The maker of Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales candy teamed up with four-time NBA All Star Paul George in New Orleans to promote the annual sports game NBA 2K17 and introduce its new limited-edition promotional packaging. Locker codes will be found inside each package of Mike and Ike Original Fruits, Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon, and new Mike and Ike 3 Point Mix, which is a limited edition mix that brings together cherry, orange and grape flavors.

To get fans excited, Paul George also answered fan questions through the Mike and Ikea Snapchat account @MikeandIkeSnaps and Hot Tamales Instagram account @hottamalescandy.

"The partnership with 2K Sports was a natural fit for both the Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales brands since we know a lot of our fans are gamers, plus, basketball is one of the top sports enjoyed by both our male and female fan base," said Brian Bachrach, Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales business team director at Just Born Quality Confections. "When we heard Paul George was a huge fan of Mike and Ike, we decided to develop a fun fan experience with him in addition to our role as the Sweet Game Partner for NBA 2K17!"

National Association of Shell Marketers

As of February, the National Association of Shell Marketers (NASM) is managed by Associations International (AI), a leading association management company based in Lexington, Kentucky. AI manages several other associations, including the Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association.

"This is such an exciting time in the growth and development of NASM," said Valerie Kelley Amsden, NASM chairman. "This partnership with AI will enhance our value proposition for members and further strengthen the relationships we have with Shell Corporate and the business partner community."

Associations International is accredited by the AMC Institute, the global trade association representing the association management industry.

 Twisted Tea Brewing Co.

The maker of hard iced tea has partnered with Ty Dillon, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Germain Racing in a multi-year agreement to be primary sponsor of the No. 13 Chevrolet SS. Twisted Tea will serve as primary sponsor for select races during the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season and as associate sponsor for the entire 2017 season with RCR's No. 3 XFINITY Series team.

"We've been involved with NASCAR for a few years, and we know that Richard Childress Racing, Germain Racing and Ty Dillon are the best of the best, and we couldn't ask for a better team to race with," said Michelle Sullivan, senior director, head of marketing. "Our team members and Twisted Tea drinkers are fiercely loyal NASCAR fans, and we wanted to partner with a team and driver who share the same commitment to a captivating race day — whether it be on the actual racecourse or with a twisted tailgate featuring Twisted Tea."

The No. 13 Chevrolet SS will be featured on select Twisted Tea packaging, and both the car and Dillon will be featured in other brand initiatives this year.

"I'm looking forward to celebrating in Victory Lane with a cold Twisted Tea and meeting some of their loyal drinkers," said Dillon. "It's an honor to partner with a brand that has such a loyal customer as I prepare for my first full time season in the Cup Series."

Verifone Media

Verifone has formed partnership agreements with new content providers What's Trending, The Daily411, FUSION and 120 Sports on its national Pump Media network. It has also retained content agreements with NFL Network, NHL Network and MLB Network.

"We are always researching and exploring what type of content is most interesting to consumers, so we can create a more impactful and engaging experience at the gas pump," said Jessica Armstrong, vice president of marketing and research. "Through these exciting new partnerships, we're able to provide fun, interesting, sharable, and 'snackable' content to bring more consumer attention to the pump screen, and ultimately increase advertiser value."

Pump Media connects brands with target consumers on their path to purchase, impacting purchase intent and behavior.